Berlusconi hopes to return to politics after Ruby case acquittal

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday that he wants to return to politics after the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal for alleged abuse of power and inciting child prostitution in the “Ruby Case”.

Despite a law that was issued in 2013 banning the Italian politician from practicing politics for a period of six years, Berlusconi said that the acquittal decision is the end of a sad chapter in his life.

Berlusconi added that he is “back in the field” with his centerright Forza Italia party for a better, “freer and fairer” Italy.

“Finally the truth,” said Berlusconi in a statement circulated by local media, adding that it is a “beautiful day” for politics, justice and the rule of law, arguing that he was confident that his motives would be understood.

Berlusconi, also a prominent businessman, praised the judges, for doing their job without being influenced by media pressure, as well as his lawyers, friends and “political leaders around the world.”

Similarly, Berlusconi appreciated the role of “millions of Italians” of all political ideologies who showed support and respect, and did not give credence to the mudslinging against him and against the institutions of the Italian Republic.

The Italian Supreme Court confirmed on Wednesday the acquittal issued by the Court of Appeals of Milan in favor of Berlusconi in July 2014, a ruling that was challenged by the city’s General Prosecution in November 2014.

After learning about his acquittal, Berlusconi joked saying that he is not a drunkard, but would “make a toast” to celebrate the occasion.

The leader of the Forza Italia party just completed his oneyear of community service sentence over charges of financial corruption in the “Mediaset” tax fraud case, and was also convicted by the court of first instance of Milan to seven years imprisonment in addition to an indefinite ineligibility of holding any public office.

On June 24, 2013, the Italian judiciary had found Berlusconi guilty of having sex with Moroccan Karima ElMarough, nicknamed Ruby, when she was under the 18yearold age of consent.

Additionally, the former prime minister faced charges of power abuse, as the court found that he misused his political position when he made a call to a Milan police station to demand the release of Ruby, who had been arrested for theft.

In the end, Berlusconi appealed the sentence, and was acquitted.

However, the General Prosecution appealed the verdict before the Supreme Court of Milan, which after 10 years of deliberation was refused, putting a definitive end to the fiveyear long fiasco.

Surely, Berlusconi will have another battle to fight regarding the “Severino law”, issued by the government of former prime minister Mario Monti, which stipulates the expulsion of any parliamentarian who is convicted with a prison sentence of more than two years.

This law would prevent Berlusconi from candidacy in any upcoming elections, whether in Italy or the whole of Europe, for a period of six years, which could result in an institutional conflict if his party decides to include him on its electoral lists.